Support for garment-hangers.



F. VIDEGARAY.

SUPPORT FOR GARMENT HANGERS. APPLICATION FILED MAY 24, 1915.

l 1 59,342. r Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

I N V EN TOR Federico UizflagBaray.

BY I I A lorneys Wren s arts rete t FEDERIGO VIDEGARAY, OF MEXICO, MEXICO.

surronr ran GARMENT-HANGERS.

' Mexico, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in and Relating to Supports for Garment-Hangers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to supporting means for garment hangers, and the object of the invention is the provision of a device of the class described which shall be extremely simple in construction and mode of operation, of minimum weight, and yet,

withal, highly efficient in the carrying out of its functions.

The device of the present invention is particularly designed for use with Wardrobe trunks, that is to say, trunks which may be used as wardrobes when stood upright, but it may also be employed in wall cupboards, stationary wardrobes, and the like.

A salient feature of the invention resides in the fact that certain of the several elements which are combined to form the comlete structure are se )aratel ca able of er- P forming different functions whereby the number of parts required is maintained at a minimum.

'Theinvention may be briefly stated as embodying a guide member adapted to be secured to the interior of a trunk or ward robe, and with this guide member cooperates an extension member which, when in proper position, permits of the garments adapted to be normally suspended upon the guide member to be withdrawn beyond the open side of the trunk or Wardrobe and displayed to view in such manner that any desired garment may be easily and quickly selected. The extension member is preferably so constructed and proportioned that, when the garments are in a normally packed condition within the wardrobe, said extension member-may be utilized in forcing the garments backinto the wardrobe to allow of the closing of thedoor or cover and, at the same time, forcing the garments into intimate contact with one another whereby they are maintained in proper position, even though the trunk or other container is carelessly handled.

With the foregoing features may also be combined afurther pressing member which assists the extension memberin maintaining the garments in proper position when the cover ordooris closed and whichmay have Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

Application filed May 24, 1915. Serial No. 29,961.

the additional function of cooperating with the extension member so as to sustain the weight of the garments when in their exposed position exteriorly of the wardrobe.

In one of its practical forms, the invention embodies a. tubular guide fixed beneath that end of the trunk which serves temporarily as the top. An extension rod, equal in length substantially to the width of the trunk, is adapted to fit interiorly of the tubular guide so that garment hangers may be suspended either upon the tubular guide or the extension rod, and may be shifted toward the free end of said rod to such extent as to bring'all of said garments exteriorly of the trunk. When it is desired to close the trunk, the garment hangers may be forced back along the extension rod until they recede beyond the end of the guide member, at which time the extension rod maybe removed and placed transversely of the trunk, against the garments, the opposite ends of said rod cooperating with clamping members which hold the rod tightly against the garments, thereby forming a. kind of press tofiatten the garments and hold them in position.

Features of the invention, other than those specified, will be apparent from the hereinafter detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. V

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated different practical embodiments of the present invention, but the constructions shown therein are to be understood as illustrative, only, and not as defining the limits of the invention.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a wardrobe trunk embodying the device of the present invention, showing the parts in their infolded, closed position. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section through the trunk, showing the parts in the position illustrated in Fig. 1, said section being taken on line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view thereof, showingtheparts in extended position, said section being taken on line 33 of Fig. 1. Fig. l is a perspective detail of one of the guide supporting members. Fig. 5'is a side view of a slight modification ofone of the details of construction, and Fig. 6 illustrates'a portion of the foot member which is employed in one of the moditied forms of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, wherein the adaptation of th'epresent invention to a wardrobe trunk is shown, A designates a' trunk which is shown in Figs; 1' and 3' as standing on end. A tubular sheath C is mounted in spaced relation to the upper end of said trunk and on the interior thereof by' means of two hangers c and c, the former of which is positioned near the open side oh the trunk, the latter being secured to the end of. the trunk near the hack thereofi- The: sheath C is thus rigidly. maintained in: spaced, parallel relation beneath the top'wall of the-trunk and at such distance therefrom.-

as to allow anumlier of garment hangers y he slid to a position exterior of the trunk (ii-into such position that the garments supported thereby will be exposed to View and-thedesired garment readily selected.

Aside from the functionof serving as an eXtension or track for the support of the garment holders when 111' cotiperatrve: rela- 'tionwiththe sheath. the supportingrod'has an additional function; ofa pressing-member. when the garments have been moved to their concealed position within the trunk,- and it is desiredto closethe trunk. For this reason the extensionrod E ismade in: length slin'htly'less than the interior width of the trunk. and coipera tine, securing members l d are'secured in juxtapositiononthe interior of the opposite sidcsof thetrunlr in such position as to extend in pa allel relation rearwardly from the openside thereof. formed fronrstrap-metal being" bent into the. formushown in Figs. 1 and 3. and ea'chof said mem ers is provided witlr a series oft bayonet joints 4 as shown'in Fig; 2. The extension rod E when serving the function of a pressing" member is adapted 'to be positioned transversely of the trunk so that: its ropposi te endsco iperate with the various;- ba-yonet joints of the respective members (Z'd. whereby saidrod may be positioned any distance from' the" backwall ofthetrunk. desired.

The operation ofthe'device: as thus fardescri ed. may be brieflyset forth as follows: Let it beassumed that a plur'alitvot garment hangersr with the-garments which they support are in exposed position upon th'e'extension rod E 'as'shown'in Fig;

7 4 When-1t 1s desired to pack and c ose the trunk" the garment hangers. are slid rear wardlv alonmrodE andpositi'oned in-closeproximityto one another upon thesheathiC.

The securing" mem ers arepreferably" sustainingbracket '0 is preferablyprovided' with apin or rod: 5 adapted for longitudinal sliding movement through alined apertures in said bracket 0.- Itwiillv bev manifest from Fig; lthat. when" the rodzis in'a' position showmih: dotted lines. the hangers may be freely' slid'fhack? and forth past the end of: the-sheathC but whenitherod g is in its full-liner position; the" foremost garment hanger will engageiwith said'rod; and there' by he: precluded from disengagement with the sheath. have been compactly POSltlOneCl, as described; the'lockin q rod. 9 islshifte'd to the full line position, thereby maintaining; the hanger-sin their CO IIIDZI'CtV'DOSIUOHS; The extension rodwE 1s thenwithdrawnandiposltioned transversely of thertrun t slightly a o e the securingrmembers (Z d, whereupon the'rodisforced agalnst" the outermost gar ment to compress all of the garments'into" Whem the garment hangers comlpafct relation interior-1y of the trunky" and when the garments have been 'depressed as much aspos'sible. the opposite ends of the rodE are brought intogensragement with the nea'resbbayonet' slot (Z for thep rposeof locking the" parts in position: When this:-

hasb'een accomplished, the garments and their hange's will have been forced to a" 1, osition:interiorly'of the open face'of the asidescrihed, the shifting'of-the arments is a solutel preclnded.'no matter how'roughly' the trunk maybe handled during-transpor tation. Moreo 'er the device serves the saine purpose as the well-known clothes press; thereby keeplng the an rments in proper con d1t"on ";to;be"worn atlall times.

hile the device, as thus I far described} operates with great efiiciency, I have found that" the employment of an-additionalfem ture somewhat increasesthe e'tliciency. The

feature referred to is shown'in the drawings as embodied in stirrup like member .I.

Thestirrurflikemember I, which is shown" substantially U-shaped in form, is provided with diverging freeends i; adapted'to 00-" operate withapertures: 2'- members J. shown .11 the: form'of elongated bars. which in supporting Supporting members J are:

are positioned on opposite sides of the trunk.

and near the top thereof, and each of said.

members is,- provided* with a plurality of apertures 1 into 1 any-tweet which the op.- posite'end'szof.thefstlrrup-may enter; as is clearly shown in-Figswl, andQ. Stirrup I is resilient sothat its freeren'dsimayibeccome pose of locking the parts in place.

pressed to allow of their withdrawal from the apertures 2", and, accordingly, said ends may be brought into engagement with any. two of the apertures desired.

It will thus be apparent that, when it is desired to compress the garments within the trunk,the ends of the stirrup member may be. positioned in such of the apertures a" as to give the proper pressure according to the number of garments present, and thereafter the extension rod E, positioned as heretofore described, in such manner as to force said stirrup member against the garments as shown in Fig. 1. Thus the garments will be compressed not only at their tops and bottoms by the hangers y and the rod F, but said stirrup I will also serve to exert pressure thereon. The garments will thus be more compactly held in position throughout a greater extent than in the previous form, referred to, wherein the stirrup is omitted.

Like the extension rod E, the stirrup also has a dual function,,since, when the garments are hung in exposed position upon the extension rod E, as shown in Fig. 3, the stirrup member I may be removed from its normal, oscillatory position within the trunk, and slipped into guides I at the upper portion of said trunk into the position shown in Fig. 3. In this position, the outer end of the extension rodwill rest upon the loop ofthe stirrup I, and will thus be supported thereby. However, when it is desired to pack the trunk, the garments may be compressed to a position within the trunk, the stirrup removed from the guides 1', its opposite ends positioned in the proper apertures i and the extension rod removed from the sheath and positioned in engagement with said rod, thereafter being inserted into the adiacent bayonet slots (Z for the pur- It thus appears that the stirrup member has a dual function, viz., assisting in the pressing of the garments, in the first instance, and the forming of an additional support for the garments when in exposed position, in the second. instance. p

The forming of various parts so that they are able to perform a plurality of functions obviously minimizes the cost of construction as well as the weight which, in the transportation of baggage, etc, is of considerable moment.

To lighten the weight of the device and. dispense with the lateral guides I, I may use two horizontal bars L of the type shown in Fig. These bars may be of the same generalcharacter as the supporting bars J, hereinbefore referred to, and provided with a plurality of apertures 1, into which the tion to support the outer end of the extension rod is effected by the pivotal pins 1 which are pivoted near the outer ends of bars L, and which are adapted, when the bar has been lifted to its horizontal. position, to be rotated into a position wherein the projecting fingers of said pins engage with the under surface of said stirrup. This is but one of the several changes which might be made, and, accordingly, the construction shown in the drawing is to be understood as illustrative, only, and not as defining the limits of the invention.

A further modified form of the invention consists in the replacement of the stirrup by a leg or foot member which embodies a rod composed of a plurality of sections m, joined together as shown in Fig. 6. The sections, when assembled, make a total length equal substantially to the distance between the sheath and the surface on which the trunk is adapted to rest, when in its upstanding position. The rod is adapted to be positioned with one end on the floor and the opposite end beneath the outer end of the extension rod E, whereby it serves to support said rod when the garments are in exposed position. The sections of which the rod is composed are, like the extension rod E, preferably made equal to the width of the trunk, and complementary supporting members, similar to members (Z cl, are positioned at different hei hts along the sides of said trunk. Thus, when the trunk is packed, each section on may cooperate with corresponding securing members to compress the garments at ditl'erent portions of the length of the trunk.

It will be obvious from the foregoing that all of the parts cooperate in the performance of their various functions to constitute a device of extreme simplicity, yet, withal, one of great merit and utility. The minimum numl er of pa ts employed, and the fact that the several parts coiiperate with one another to assist in the performance of the desired function allows of the manufacture of said parts from very light material, whereby the resulting structure does not materially add to the weight of a trunk wherein such parts are not employed.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Extent, is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a tixed guide for supporting a plurality of garment hangers, and a member co't'perating with said guide for extending the length thereof, said member being detachable from said guide, for the purpose of serving as a garment retainer for holding the garments in predetermined positions when detached from the guide.

in a device of the class described. the

scombination of a chamber a nxed 'uide tension member cooperating with said fixedguide for extending the same whereby the garment hangers may he slid throughout substantially the length of the fixed guide and the extension member, and securing means mounted interiorly ot' the chamber, said extension member being removable from the fixed guide and adapted to cooperate with the securing means for maintaining garments supported upon the garment hangers compactly within the chamber. 7

In a device of the class described, the combination of a chamber, a fixed guide, equal in length substantially to the depth of the chamber, mounted on the interior thereof for supporting a plurality of garment hangers, an extension member cooperating with said fixed guide for extending the same exteriorly of the chamber whereby the garment hangers may be slid to a position exteriorly oi the chamber into exposed position, and secur'ng means mounted interiorly of the chamber, said extension member being removable from the fixed guide and adapted to cooperate with the securing means for maintaining garments supported upon the garment hangers compactly within the chamber.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a chamber, a fixed guide positioned in the upper portion thereof, and an extending and retaining rod slidably mounted on said fixed guide to form an extension thereof, which extension projects to a point exteriorly of the chamber, whereby garment hangers normally supported upon the fixed guide may be moved toa position exteriorly of the chamber, on the extension rod and said rod being removable from the fixed guide for the purpose of serving as a garment retainer for holding the garments, supported on the garment hangers, in predetermined positions when detached from the guide.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a chamber, a fixed guide positioned in the upper portion thereof, a rod slidably and detachably mounted on said fixed guide to form an extension thereof, which extension projects to a point exteriorly' oi the chamber, whereby garment hangers normally supported upon the fixed guide maybe moved to a position exterior-1y V of the chamber, and securing means positioned within the chamber and adapted to cooperate with theextension rod when the same is removed from the fixed guide for lllt) purpose of compressing the garments;

adapted tobe supported upon the garment hangers; V

6. in a device oi the class described, the

combination of a trunk, a fixed guide se cured interiorly and at one end thereof, an

extension rod detachably secured to said guide to project beyond the open side-o'f'the' trunk,- and clamping memberspositioned on either side wall of the trunk and adapted to hold the extension rod in a position transversely of the trunk" when the same is removed from the fixed guide and brought into cooperation with said clamping members.

' 7. Ina device otthe class described, the combination of a trunk, a fixed guide secured interiorly and at one end thereof, an extension rcd detachably secured to said guide whereby garment hangers may be slid L from their normal position uponthe guide member to a position exteriorly of the trunk and upon the extension rod, and means for detachably locking said garment hange's against such movement. 1

8. In a device of the classdescribed, the combination of a chamber, a fixed guide positioned in the upper portion thereof, a rod slidably and detachably mounted on said fixed guide to form an extension thereof, which extension projects to a point exteriorly of the chamber, whereby garment hangers normally supported on the fixed guide may be moved to a position exteriorly of the chamber, and means for normally;

maintaining said garment hangers in position upon'the fixed guideinteriorly ofthe trunk;

9. In a device of' the class described, a chamber, a fixed guide positioned in the upper portion thereof, a rod slidably and detachably mounted on said fixed guide to form an extension thereof, which extension projects to a point exteriorly of the chamber, whereby garment hangers normally supported on the fixed guide may be moved to a position exteriorly of the chamber,,and means for normally maintaining said garment hangers in position upon'the fixed guide interiorly of the trunk, in combination with securing members positioned interiorly of V the chamber andadapted to cooperate with the extension rod for the purpose of normally maintaining-such garments as are suppo'rtedon the garment hangers in compact form interiorlyiof the chamber.

10. In a device of the class described, a chamber, a fixed guide positioned in the upper portion thereof, a rod slidably and detachably mounted on said fixed guide to form an extension thereof, which extension projects to a point exteriorly of the chamber, whereby garment hangers normally supported on the fixed guide may be moved exteriorly of the chamber, in combination with securing means positioned withinthe chamher and adapted to engage with the extension rod when the same 18 removed from the fixed guide for theipurp'ose of maintaining the garments on the hangers in compact form within "the chamber, and'a pressingsupport the outer end thereof and with said rod in its garment-compressing position to assist the same in compressing the garments.

11. In a device of the class described, a chamber, a fixed guide positioned in the upper portion thereof, a rod slidably and detachably mounted on the fixed guide to form an extension thereof, Which extension projects'to a point exteriorly of the chamber, whereby garments normally supported upon the fixed guide may be moved to a position exteriorly of the chamber, in combination with a stirrup member, means for rigidly supporting the stirrup member in substantially hor zontal position and in contact with the extension rod near the outer end thereof for the purpose of supporting the free end of said extension rod, securing means, positioned interiorly of the chamber,

adapted to cooperate with the extension rod when detached from the guide member for the purpose of compressing the garments Within the chamber, and means Within said chamber for allowing of the positioning of the stirrup member therein and in cooperative relation With the extension rod to assist the latter in compressing the garments.

12. In a device of the class described, a chamber, a fixed guide for supporting a plurality of garment hangers positioned Within said chamber, and a member cooperating with said guide for extending the length thereof, in combination with a stirrup member provided.with a pair of trunnions engaging With bearings positioned interiorly of the chamber, said member being removable from the guide and positionable Within the chamber whereby it is adapted to cooperate With the stirrup member for maintaining the same in engagement With the garments Within the chamber.

13. In a device of the class described, a chamber, a fixed guide for supporting a plurality of garment hangers positioned Within said chamber, and a member cooperating With said guide for extending the length thereof, said member being detachable from said guide, in combination with a stirrup member provided with a pair of trunnions engaging with bearings positioned interiorly of the chamber, and securing members positioned interiorly of the chamber and engaging with the extension member when said member is removed from the fixed guide, said securing members being so positioned that, when the extension rod is in such position, said rod engages with the stirrup member and maintains the same in intimate contact with the garments supported on the garment hangers.

14. In a device of the class described, the combination of a chamber, a fixed guide mounted on the interior thereof for supporting a plurality of garment hangers, an ex- I tension member cooperating with said fixed guide for extending the same exteriorly of the chamber whereby the garment hangers may be slid to a position exterior-1y of the chamber, securing means positioned interiorly of the chamber, said extension member being removable from the fixed guide and adapted to cooperate with the securing means for maintaining the garments supported upon the hangers compactly Within the chamber, and means cooperating with the extension rod in its extended position for supporting the free end thereof.

15. In a device of the class described, the combination of a fixed guide for supporting a plurality of garment hangers, a member cooperating ivith said guide for extending the length thereof, said member being detachable from said guide and adapted to be positioned in engagement with the garments supported upon the hangers for maintaining them in predetermined positions, and supporting means cooperating with the free end of said extension member for pre cluding the sagging thereof when garment hangers are supported thereon.

16. In a device of the class described, the combination of a chamber, a fixe guide mounted therein for supporting a plurality of garment hangers, a member cooperating With said guide for extending the length thereof, and supporting means cooperating with the free end of said extension member for precluding the sagging thereof when garment hangers are supported thereon, said supporting means being also adapted to be positioned Within the chamber and in engagement with the garments supported upon the hangers for the purpose of maintaining them in compact form interiorly of the chamber.

17. In a device of the class described, a chamber, a fixed guide positioned in the upper portion thereof, and a rod slidably and detachably mounted on the fixed guide to form an extension thereof, which extension projects to a point exteriorly of the chamber, in combination with a plurality of alined bayonet slots on the opposite sides of the interior of the chamber and intermediate the ends thereof, whereby the extension rod, when detached from the fixed guide, may cooperate with any two oppositely disposed, complementary bayonet slots, When in engagement with garments supported on the hangers, for the purpose of maintaining said garments in compact form Within the chamber.

18. In a device of the class described, the combinat on of a garment supporting member embodying two telescoping portions, brackets secured Within a chamber and to one of said garment supporting portions for rigidly securing the same in position within the chamber, one of said brackets being so formed that, when the garment supporting =memberisin its ext-ended position, the 'garmentlhangers adapted to be hung on the supporting member are provided with .an uninterrupted path of travel throughout the entire extent oi said supporting member,

the unattached telescoping portion being adapted to be removed from the fixed portion and positioned transversely of the chamber to maintaining the garmentsin predetermined positions.

' 7 19. In a device of the class described, a

t a in s on exte na ly-p th chamb nin combinat on with a pa r of retalnlng members, each of which is-provided with a pie,

rality of spaced bayonet ,slots and one of which members is positioned on each side and interiorly of the chamber and intermediate the ends thereof Wherebv theextension rod. may be detached from the fixed guide and positioned interiorly ofthe chamher, with its opposite ends in engagement with two complementary bayonetslots and in engagement with. garments supported on the hangers forthe purpose of maintaining the garments in compactform. 7 Y

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to thisspecification.

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